Concentration of CO2 in atmosphere hits record high: UN

The UN said that the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has hit a new high. It warned that drastic action is needed to achieve targets set by the Paris climate agreement.

The World Meteorological Organization said, concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere surged at a record-breaking speed in 2016. It said, globally averaged concentrations of CO2 reached 403.3 parts per million in 2016, up from 400.00 ppm in 2015 because of a combination of human activities and a strong El Nino event.

The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the UN weather agency’s annual flagship report, tracks the continent of dangerous gasses in atmosphere in the post-industrial era since 1750. The historic agreement approved by 196 countries two years ago is facing renewed pressure following US President Donald Trump’s decision to quit the accord.